Joseph (Joe) Saculla

Joseph (Joe) Saculla passed away February 6, 2013 at his home in Rancho Cordova at the age of 84.

Joe was born in Sacramento on October 15, 1928 to Italian immigrants Michael and Rose Saculla. His early years were spent in Roseville, until the death of his mother in 1943 when he moved to Stockton to be with his older

brother and sisters. After

graduating from Stockton High School, he joined the Air Force and served as a Communications/ Radar Officer during the Korean War. After his military service Joe returned to Stockton, studied

mechanical engineering at the University of the Pacific, then began his career in refrigeration/air conditioning/heating. His knowledge and talent landed him job

opportunities in Alaska and on the island of Sumatra. In 1978 he

became an instructor with the

Sacramento Regional Occupational Program where he fell in love with teaching and thrived with his new-found career until his retirement in 1993.

His childhood dream was to

become a pilot and he was proud to have attained his private pilot's license along with commercial,

instrument and flight instructor

ratings. He was active in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Air Patrol for many years.

While Joe was teaching for the ROP program he met his wife

Annie, and a 25 year love story began. He was an incredibly loving and devoted husband, friend and life-partner.

Upon his passing, Joe has joined his parents; his brothers, Anthony and Frank; and his sisters, Vince and Nancy. He will be lovingly missed by his wife Annie, his son Michael (Pat) Saculla of Stockton, son Rocky (Diana) Saculla of